Welcome to Ma's Got'a Notion
Here at Ma's, we got your back...quilt back, that is!!!

Here we are in mid-July already! I know many of you have enjoyed summer travel, your gardens, family picnics, and visits. But now it is time to get to work on those gift-giving quilts you want to make for Christmas.

If you follow my Facebook page, you will see all that comes in daily here at the shop. I always put a link to each item right next to the photos, making it easy to read more about the item. Please follow it to stay up-to-date on all the latest fabrics that come in.

We have not vended at shows for a few years, for various reasons (mainly because the packing and carrying are hard on Deb and my shoulders). With that being said, we have decided to do the Jacksonville, IL show. The show is held on Friday, July 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, July 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The address of the show is: Jacksonville High School, 1211 N. Diamond. Please note that Ma's shop will be closed on Thursday, July 24th, so we can pack up and travel to Jacksonville that day to set up for the show.

Please mark your calendars: Ma's shop will be closed on July 24th, packing day, and the 25th and 26th for show days. Come and see us in Jacksonville. 

One of the reasons we decided to do the show is that we miss being at shows to see so many of you that we only get to see at shows. So, please pack up your car with like-minded quilters and come to enjoy the show. Stop by Ma's both to say hi, because that's where you'll find us on those days. There will be vendors, Hallye Bone will be appraising quilts, D&D Scissor Sharpeners will be there (so bring in those dull ones), and Bella Wedding & Events will be handling the concession stand. Bed Turnings and a raffle quilt too! You deserve a day in the AC visiting with other quilters and enjoying the beauty of the quilts hung for your viewing pleasure! I hope to see you all there!

I tried to get back into the swing of things at the shop and studio, but I soon discovered that my heart was not in it. Really, it was not up to it! I have experienced a lot of tiredness in recent weeks. I go every couple of months to get shots in both knees and my shoulder, too. My orthopedic guy is very thorough, and he was not pleased with the way my heart was beating. He advised me to visit my GP and request some tests. Like most things, I kept putting it off. Other than being tired, I felt just fine! I took the test, and my GP sent me straight to the cardiologist. I have AFib, a well-known thing among many of us, as many people may have it and not know it unless someone in the medical field detects it or they have erratic beating, but mine was quiet and only let me know something was amiss due to feeling tired. Long story short, they recently gave my heart "two shocks" to get it back in rhythm. I have been on a blood thinner for the last couple of months, and it and I do not get along too well. I have always been a bleeder, and bruises seem to pop up on me from nowhere, before I was taking the thinners. I now will bleed crazy just from a pin prick, my nose bleeds without warning, and the bruising comes about just by being looked at! So, as soon as they can get me on the schedule in a few weeks, they will put a "Watchman" in my heart. My heart will begin to grow around it and adopt it as a natural part of my body. I will be able to leave the blood thinners in the history of my healthcare, a day I look forward to with great joy! I have decided that once all this is behind me, I will address my knee issues. I have put it off forever... but I'm not getting any younger, and the warranty on my joints has reached its expiration date. I don't think there is an extended warranty option other than purchasing new ones outright. But that is a future purchase! ????

My hubs had his gallbladder out yesterday. Other than some discomfort in the five small incisions, he is doing well (as well as a man can be... to hear them tell it they always may die soon of pain) ???? Next month they will take out the stent in his pancreas and if all goes well he may not need a new one put in. It can come out and stay out...we hope! A full eight months of horrendous illness, all because of a misdiagnosis of gallstones! I am hopeful that 2026 will be a much healthier year in our household!

Our son, Cory, has been our chauffeur, nursemaid, and handyman for the last many months. His 53rd birthday is on Monday, July 14th. He makes me so proud. He is a hard worker, intelligent, empathetic, and is LOVED very much by all who know him. Some of you may know him; if you do, please wish him a happy birthday on Monday! He was the best little boy and is a great man!

I have said I would post some weekly videos on Facebook, and I hope to do so once my life gets back to normal. I have purchased the equipment, but it's still boxed up. Our daughter, Leslie, will be home with her husband, Adam, later this month for a very short visit. I'll see if I can persuade him to post a couple more videos; I can bribe him with food! He's quite the entertainer! ????

Honestly, you should visit the shop soon. Deb keeps busy moving bolts around to stay a step ahead of the future holidays. When I get a chance to get in there, I need to hunt to see where everything now resides! ???? I am so grateful to her and how she takes care of business when I am missing in action, like I have been for the majority of 2025! Thank YOU, Deb, for all you do! Debs' hubs will also require some repair work in the near future, but no dates have been set. We are trying to sync our schedules to ensure one of us is in the shop. We anticipate no unscheduled days closed.

I will get back to you all soon to remind you about the three days we will be gone and will be in Jacksonville.

We are not in the All Illinois Shop Hop this year. I'm really glad I didn't sign up for it, given the way this year has gone. It is hard to do a hop when there are only two of us, and one is gone more often than not! But please... stop and visit us when you're in the area, or make a special trip - you'll find we're worth it! ???? Stay safe, be healthy, and quit on my friends!